The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama prides itself in knowledge and innovation since its inception in 1831. The university delved into nursing education in the mid-1900s, which led to the approval of an undergraduate program in 1950, followed by the establishment of a new baccalaureate program in 1975. The nursing school at UA offers a well-rounded education blending practical experience and research across various healthcare specialties.

Discover The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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School Ranking: B+
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The University of Alabama is a public and non-profit State Institution. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including BSN, RN to BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, RN to MSN, DNP, MSN to DNP, CNL, NP, Post Grad Certificate, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Student Demographics

  • 21 Average Age
  • 44% Men
  • 56% Women
  • 0% Veterans
  • 75% White
  • 2% Hispanic
  • 21% Black
  • 1% Asian

College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.

Nursing Programs

  • $39,420 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*
  • $25,287 In-State Graduate Tuition*

*Tuition is an average of the programs listed below.

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

In 1831, the University of Alabama, a public institution, was founded. The flagship, Tuscaloosa campus, is often referred to as, "The Capstone."

In the mid-1900s, the University of Alabama became involved in nursing education. By 1950, the undergraduate program was approved by legislative action and in 1975, the university established a new baccalaureate program in Tuscaloosa.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Upper Division Promotion Minimum Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on required lower division classes
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all required science classes
  • Completion of ATI TEAS admissions assessment

Second Degree

The Capstone College of Nursing has a Second Degree program designed for students that hold a baccalaureate degree in another field.

RN to BSN

RNs that hold an associate's degree or hospital diploma in nursing are eligible to apply to the RN to BSN or the RN to BSN/MSN track. The programs are flexible and designed to let the nurse continue to work, while finishing his or her degree. Courses are taught online and clinical activities are completed close to home.

The nurse can finish the degree in as little as three semesters at a full-time status. There is also a part-time plan available. The RN to BSN/MSN track prepares nurses as Case Managers or Clinical Nurse Leaders.

RN to BSN Track eligibility requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Successful completion of all lower division coursework
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 on lower division coursework
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0 in science courses
  • Graduation from an ACEN accredited associate's degree program or from a diploma nursing program
  • Unencumbered RN license or eligibility for licensure in the state where clinical requirements will be completed

RN to BSN/MSN eligibility requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Successful completion of all lower division coursework
  • 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of coursework
  • Graduation from an ACEN accredited associate's degree program or from a diploma nursing program
  • Unencumbered RN license or eligibility for licensure in the state where clinical requirements will be completed

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing

Case Management (CM)

The Capstone College of Nursing offers the distance-based Master of Science in Nursing by offering classes online. This Case Management role offers leadership positions within healthcare and coordinates and administers case management services at the macrosystems level.

Clinical Facilitator

This program has a mandatory clinical practicum and it is the student's responsibility to identify a site with an appropriate clinical facilitator.

Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

The Capstone College of Nursing offers the distance-based Master of Science in Nursing by offering classes online. The Clinical Nurse Leader is an advanced practice that prepares a generalist, accountable for clinical and health care environmental outcomes. After completion of the degree, students are eligible to sit for the CNL certification examination offered by American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC).

The Length of the program: The Clinical Nurse Leader program can be completed in one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.

Clinical Facilitator

This program includes a mandatory clinical immersion and it is the student's responsibility to identify a site with an appropriate clinical facilitator.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

The Capstone College of Nursing (CCN) offers a dual nurse practitioner degree online including: the online MSN with specialization in the Dual Nurse Practitioner (NP) Concentration Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner.

This dual NP concentration prepares students to sit for both the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – across the lifespan and the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) national board certification exams. Single role concentrations in these NP specialties are also offered. The curriculum is online but there is an additional campus meeting twice (one day each) during the program of study.

Currently, only residents of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi are eligible for admission to NP concentrations. 

Preceptor

Students must find a preceptor and site to practice at for clinical rotations, however, there will be assistance with this process to secure a letter of agreement or clinical affiliation agreement with the healthcare agency.

Nurse Administrator 

The Capstone College of Nursing offers the distance-based Master of Science in Nursing with all courses offered entirely online. The program can be completed in one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.

Clinical Facilitator

This program requires a clinical practicum and it is the student's responsibility to identify a site with an appropriate clinical facilitator.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The DNP is a practice-focused doctoral degree that prepares graduates at the highest advanced level of nursing to specialize and assume leadership positions.

Post-Master's DNP

This is available for advanced practice nurses (e.g., nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists) and nurse executives. Nurses must have passed their certification prior to completing 12 credit hours in the program. There is a part- and full-time option for study for Post-Masters DNP.

Admission Requirements Post-Master's DNP (not all inclusive)

  • Current unencumbered RN license
  • Master's degree in nursing in an advanced nursing practice area (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist) from a regionally and CCNE or NLN accredited school of nursing
  • Students with master's degree in an area other than advanced practice may request to have their application evaluated to determine if they meet requirements
  • Advanced practice national certification or eligibility to sit for national certification
  • 3.0 GPA based on a 4.0 system in a completed graduate degree
  • Drug and background screen results

Doctorate of Education (EdD) for Nurse Educators

This program prepares nurses for nursing faculty positions. The program is not intended to lead to educator certification.

Nurses who have an MSN degree enter the program and generally complete it within three years of full-time study through a blended format of online courses and campus meetings. Then, the student must complete a 12-credit hour dissertation project.

Clinical Facilitator

The program requires a clinical practicum. It is the student's responsibility to identify a site with an appropriate clinical facilitator.

Post-Graduate Certificate

  • Case Management
  • Nurse Practitioner

Approval and Accreditation

The Capstone College of Nursing has approval status from the Alabama Board of Nursing.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, and Joint Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

The University of Alabama is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2019-2020)

  • #129 (tie) in National Universities
  • #87 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
  • #80 in Best Value Schools
  • #61 (tie) in Top Public Schools
  • #12 in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
  • #7 in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs for Veterans
  • #48 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • #438 (tie) Best Global Universities

NICHE (2019)

  • Best College Campuses in America #11
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in America #26
  • Best Big Colleges in America #46
  • Top Public Universities in America #48
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in America #52
  • Most Conservative Colleges in America #98
  • Best College Dorms in America #107
  • Best College Food in America #154
  • Best Colleges in America #157
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in America #171
  • Colleges with the Best Professors in America #359
  • Best Value Colleges in America #608
  • Best College Locations in America #616
  • Most Diverse Colleges in America #767
  • Best College Campuses in Alabama #1
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in Alabama #1
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in Alabama #2
  • Best College Dorms in Alabama #2
  • Best Colleges in Alabama #3
  • Most Conservative Colleges in Alabama #3
  • Top Public Universities in Alabama #3
  • Best College Food in Alabama #4
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in Alabama #4
  • Best Value Colleges in Alabama #5
  • Best College Locations in Alabama #8
  • Most Diverse Colleges in Alabama #8
  • Colleges with the Best Professors in Alabama #10

Forbes (2018)

  • #221 Top Colleges
  • #70 in Public Colleges
  • #116 in Research Universities
  • #44 in the South
  • #236 America's Best Value Colleges

The Princeton Review (2018)

  • The Best 384 Colleges
  • Best Southeastern
  • Colleges That Pay You Back
  • Best Value Colleges
  • Best College Dorms (#13)

BestNursingColleges.com (2018)

  • Top 100 Nursing Schools in USA
  • The Best Nursing School in Alabama

The University of Alabama ranked #611 in MONEY's 2018-19 Best Colleges ranking.

The University of Alabama ranked #1 on College Factual's Best Colleges for the Money in Alabama (2018).

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